Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 17, 1994                   TAG: 9411170108
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B8 BUSINESS   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

First Union National Bank of Virginia has received the Virginia governor's award for 1994 housing achievement programs, citing its efforts targeted at homeless families, mentally and physically challenged individuals and low-income citizens seeking to buy their first homes or secure affordable rental housing.

Roanoke-based First Union, the state's third-largest bank, committed more than $6 million to nonprofit community housing groups through the Federal Home Loan Bank's affordable-housing program in 1993-94. The money helped provide nearly 850 apartments and houses.

The housing programs include down-payment subsidies, reduced home-purchase closing costs, grants for the creation or renovation of apartment buildings and financial assistance for self-help home ownership programs such as Habitat for Humanity.

Jane Henderson of Roanoke, who heads the bank's community reinvestment programs in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., said the bank's goal is to increase loan and grant funding to nonprofit groups which, in turn, develop housing opportunities for Virginians who historically have lacked the access and means to secure decent housing.

-Staff report

ETS toxin remover tests well in Taiwan

ETS International Inc. of Roanoke said Wednesday it has started the first commercial operation of its patented Limestone Emission Control System, which removes toxins that cause acid rain.

The unit was installed in October at the Shing Ming Metal Industrial Co. in Taiwan and recently completed its testing. ETS said the acid gas removal levels have met the Taiwan emission standards and further testing by the end of the year is aimed at optimizing the system.

John Mycock, the company's executive vice president, said the smooth start-up is a plus, because prospective clients and licensees are scheduled to visit the unit soon.

ETS specializes in toxic emission measurement and control, infrastructure design and construction.

-Staff report

Briefly ...

First Virginia Banks Inc. on Wednesday declared a quarterly dividend of 33 cents a share, a penny increase from the previous rate of 32 cents. The dividend will be paid Jan. 9 to stockholders of Dec. 30.

The Virginia State Bar's Young Lawyers' Conference will sponsor a No Bills Night on Nov. 29 when attorneys will provide free, confidential, 10-minute telephone consultations on legal-oriented matters. The lawyers will not give legal advice but will identify legal problems and suggest relief. The call-in will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Callers can use three phone numbers: (703) 985-0131, (703) 982-2345, or (800) 354-3388.

Adia Personnel Services in Roanoke said it has opened a new career division offering full-time job placement in addition to its temporary employment service. Judy Goins, a placement specialist in the company's Roanoke office for six years, will head the new division.